Safety razor and blade



Dec'. 27, 1938. Y-H, KURKJIN SAFETY RAZOR AND BLADE Filed Jan. 4, 1935` Nso Patented Dec. 27, 1938 SAFETY RAZOR AND BLADE Yervant H. Kurkjian, American Safety Razor Corporation,

Paterson, N. J., assignor to Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of Virginia Application January 4, 1935, Serial No. 435

11 Claims.

This invention relates to razors and more particularly to safety razors.

`An important object of this invention is the production of a safety razor blade which may be of material thickness and at the same time freely ex throughout its transverse area when placed within a holder and conform to the contour of the holder when the blade is clamped in position within a holder withoutdanger of breaking.

Another object of this invention is the production of a relatively thick safety razor blade having elongated slots extending across. the transverse area of the blade to a point in close proximity to the cutting edge of the blade, whereby the blade may freely flex throughout its transverse area Yto conform 'snugly to the transverse contour of the holder upon which the blade is mounted.

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple and eicient relatively thick razor blade having slots arranged in close relation across the transverse areaof the blade and terminating at a point in close proximity to the cutting edge of the blade whereby a relatively narrow and stiff strip of metal will be provided along the cutting edge of the blade and at the same time permit the blade throughout its transverse area to ex and snugly conform to the transverse contour of a holder upon which vthe blade may be mounted.

A Ystill further object of this invention is the productio-n of a simple and efficient safety razor blade comprising a holder consisting of a plurality of sections having interfltting ribs and sockets extending approximately across the entire transverse area of the holder, and a blade which is provided with slots extending to a point in close proximity to the cutting edge of the blade, the ribs being adapted to fit within the `Slots of the blade whereby the blade may be rmly braced and anchored within the holder and at the same time held in flexed fitted relation within the transverse contour of the holder.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved razor and blade attached thereto.;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure l; n

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 4-4 of `Figure 2V;

(ci. so-vo) Figure 5 is a. bottom plan view of the outer section of the blade holder;

Figure 6 is a top vplan view of Vthe improved blade;

Figure 7 is a top. plan view of the of the blade holder; and

Figure -8 is a vertical sectional view through a modied form of blade holder.

By referring to the drawing, it will be seen that the blade holder comprises preferably an outer section I and an inner section II. The outer section lil may be formed of relatively thin metal arranged in concave-convex formation in transverse section, the outersection IIJ yhaving formed integral upon its inner face a plurality of relat tively closely arranged transversely extending ribs I2, which ribs extend across substantially the entire transverse area of the outer section Ill, as will be clearly noted by considering Figures 3 and v4.. These ribs I2, however, terminate short of the outer side marginal edges I3 of the outer section I0, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and each rib I2 is provided with an abutment shoulder I4 spaced slightly inwardly of the marginal edges I3. v'Ihe ribs I2 are preferably bowed or curved to follow the contour of 4the section III.

The inner section II of the holder may vbe formed in the conventional manner vcommon to safety razors wherein the inner section I I may be provided with the usual guard or protector means I6 along the side edges. Ilhe inner section I'I, however, is provided with a plurality yof convex channels I1 upon its upper face in such a position as to snugly receive the curved lower faces of the ribs I2 of the outer section I0. These ribs I2 are adapted to snugly iit within the channels or sockets I1 of the inner section II of the holder and thereby firmly anchor the inner and outer sections vtogether and hold these sections against lateral shiftingor vibration thereby producing a f very sturdy holder having interlocking features which will make the holder a very sturdy bladeengaging and holding means. These ribs I2 and the sockets l1 are arranged in close relation across the transverse area of the sections I0 and Y I I of the holder as is clearly illustrated in Figures and 7. t

A specially constructed blade I8 is employed in connection with this blade holder, and this blade I8 comprisesan elongated body, which body is Y also provided with closely arranged transversely extending slots I9, which slots I9 extend substantially across the entire transverse area of the vblade I Sleaving only transversely extending ribs inner section Illa. between the slots, and a relatively narrovwy Ving the blade in a firmly clamped positionY stiff strip 28 near each cutting edge 2l Because of this particular type of blade itis possible to use a type of steel which is considerably thicker or of heavier gauge than is ordinarily possible in a flexible blade of a type commonly used in safety razors. In fact, it has been found practical and of great advantage to utilize steel of two or three times the 'thickness used in the present :eXibleV safety razor blade. Consequently, the stiffness of the blade adjacent the cutting edge thereof will reduce vibration and distortion of the blade to a f of the interlocking fea- V ture of the inner and outer sections of the holderV minimum, and because and the tting cf the ribs I2 withiny the slots I9 of the blade I8, avery compact, firmly clamped structure is produced providing a stiff, welladapted to rmly and snugly fit within the slots I9 of the blade and also snugly fit within the slots or channels Il of the inner section I I. The inner section II is provided with a ledge portion 25 adjacent the side marginal edges, which ledge portion is relatively narrow and is arranged along the ends of the sockets Il. These ledge portions extending along each side of the inner section II will provide a veryV eicient rest for the relatively narrow stiff strip 20 along each side of the blakde I8, which relatively narrow stiff strip will be firmly clamped also by the side marginal edges I3 of the outer section II). In this way the blade Will be not only efficiently reinforced through the medium of the intertting lugs I2 and the sockets I1 and the passing of the lugs through the slots I9, but the relatively narrow and stiff strip 20 along the side edges of the blade 2U will be firmly clamped thereby rmlyvand rigidly holdthroughout its entire transverse area and allowing the blade to conform throughout its entire transverse area `to the contour of the adjacent faces of the inner and outer sections of the holder. By means of this structure described, the blade will not be gripped at only one point or'at two points, but it will be firmly engaged throughout its entire transverse area with the exception of its extreme cutting edges which project beyond the holder.

Because of the reinforcing ribs formed on the outer section, it will be possible to construct the body of the outer section of extremely thin metal,

thereby permitting the blade to be brought close to the outer face of the outer section.

It is well recognized in the art Vof cutlery that a blade made of stiff material preferably'thick and rigidly held or braced, will not vibrate and produce a wavy cutting edge Vwhile shaving.VV -Because of the particular type Vof blade illustrated and described, I have eliminated the possibility Y of this waving action, and have provided means for sturdily and rmly anchoring the blade in position, permitting the blade .to be mad-e of rela-V tively thick material, and at the same time because of its construction, theV blade' may be freely flexed in order' that the blade may Vconformcompletely throughout its entire transverse 'area with Y the exception of its cutting edges, with the transverse contour of the blade holder.

In Figure 8, there is shown a Vmodified form of the invention wherein a holder is illustrated embodying an inner section 30 upon which is hingedly secured an outer 'section 3|, the Youter section 3i being preferably of thin material and being concaVo-convex in cross-section and curved inwardly toward the inner section 30. The outer section 3| is provided with ribs 32 similar to the ribs I2 previously described, which'ribs 32 `lit in the channels 33 formed in the inner section 30 and extend through transversely extending slots 34 formed in the blade 35 which are similar to the slots I9 in the blade I S. A suitable manipulating handle 36 of the conventional type may be employed for holding the inner and outer sections in clamped relation. The purpose of Figure 8 is merely to show the adaptation of my structure Vto aV diiferent type holder, but theholder is'specially constructed by having the outer face concave or dished in order to present a concave surface upon the face when shaving and allow the cutting edge of the blade to come into close contact with the face and eliminate as much friction as possible. Furthermore, the ribs 32 Y will rmly brace the outer section 3| and because of the particular assembly, as shown in this iigure, and in the preferred embodiment, the parts will be clamped in one composite mass. This Vconcave structure will prevent Vthe rockingV of the holder upon the face while-shaving, and the Yholder will VVcontactwith the face at two extreme points along the side edges of the holder allowing the shaver to feel this particularl contact.V

By noting particularly Figure 6, it will be seen that the slots I9V cut in the blade I8, will define transversely extending flexible bracing ribs IQa, which extend Ysubstantially across the entire transverse areaA of the blade firmlybracing the cutting edges of theblade and at the'same time providing a completely unitary structure permitting theY thickness of the material used in the blade tobe varied, and atV the Sametime permitting the blade to freely ex to conform to the transverse contour of the holder, this being made possible because of the iiexible yet sturdy ribs I9a.

It shouldV be understood that certain detail changes in the construction may begemployed without departing from the'spirit of the invention,so long as such changes fall within the Yscope of the appendedclaims Y Having d-escribed theV invention, what I claim as new is:

1V In combination with a razor blade holder of the safety razor type embodying aV plurality of razor blade clamping sections, a blade adapted to be interposed between the sections, said blade being provided throughout substantially its entire extent with a plurality of` closely arranged elongated transversely extendingV slots 'terminatingV at `a point Vclosely approximating the cutting edge Yof the blade, one of the sections of the holder having a plurality of transversely extending elon- I gated ribs adapted to t through the slots in the blade for vanchoring the blade in position and bracing and reinforcing. theblade, the other sec- Y tion of the holder having sockets'for lreceiving said ribs, means-'for clamping thesections together whereby the blade will beheld in clamped relation between the sections of the holder and whereby the/blade may be freely flexed to-con- 1 form Vjsnugly'to the transverse contour Vofthe holder.

Y2. In combination with a razor blade holder of the safety razor type embodying a plurality of razor blade clamping sections, a blade adapted to be interposed between the sections, said blade being provided with a plurality of closely arranged transversely extending elongated slots terminating at a point closely approximating the cutting edge of the blade, one of the sections of the holder having a plurality of transversely extending ribs adapted to fit through the slots in the blade for anchoring the blade in position and bracing and reinforcing the blade, the other section of the holder having sockets for receiving the ribs, means for clamping the sections together whereby the blade will beheld in clamped relation between the sections of the holder and whereby the blade may be freely flexed to conform snugly to the transverse contour of the holder, the slots in the blade providing a relatively narrow stiff strip adjacent the cutting edge of the blade, and the sections of theV holder being held in clamping engagement with said strip to firmly hold the blade against vibration, the as'- sembly providing a composite mass when arranged in clamped relation.

3. In combination with a holder consisting of a plurality of sections, a relatively thick flexible razor blade having a cutting edge, said blade being provided with a plurality of closely arranged transversely extending slots terminating in close proximity to the cutting edge of the blade and extending substantially over the entire area of the blade whereby a relatively thick blade may be freely iiexed to conform to the transverse contour of the holder, the sections of the holder being provided with interfltting concavo-convex portions for snugly receiving the flexible blade, one section having a plurality of closely arranged transversely extending ribs, the ribs extending substantially across the entire transverse area of the last mentioned section, the other section vhaving sockets for receiving the ribs, and means for clamping the sections together.

4. In combination with a holder consisting of a plurality of Sections, a relatively thick flexible razor blade having a cutting edge, said blade being provided with a plurality of closely arranged transversely extending slots terminating in close proximity to the cutting edge of the blade and extending substantially over the entire area of the blade whereby a relatively thick blade may be freely iiexed to conform to the transverse contour of the holder, the sections of the holder being provided with intertting concavo-convex portions for snugly receiving the flexible blade, one section having a plurality of closely arranged transversely extending ribs, the ribs extending substantially across the entire transverse area of the last mentioned section, the other section having sockets for receiving the ribs, and means for clamping the sections together, said ribs having abutment Shoulders for engagement with the ends of said slots formed in the blade whereby the cutting edge of the blade will be firmly braced throughout its extreme transverse area.

5. A safety razor of the class described comprising a plurality of sections, one section having a plurality of transversely extending ribs, the other section having a plurality of transversely extending sockets adapted to receive the ribs, a flexible blade fitted between the sections and being provided with a plurality of elongated transversely extending slots for fitting over said ribs whereby the blade will be held in an anchored position between the sections, and the outer face of one of the sections being concave to present a two-point contact upon the face while the razor is in operation.

6. A razor of the class described comprising an outer section and an inner section, a blade adapted to be clamped between said sections, said outer section having a plurality of inwardly extending closely arranged elongated ribs, the ribs extending transversely across the face of the outer section and terminati-ng short of the marginal edges thereof, the blade being normally flat and having transverse slots for receiving said ribs, the under faces of the ribs being continuously curved along their length to facilitate the insertion of the ribs through said slots, said inner section having sockets for receiving said ribs, and means for clamping the sections together.

7. A razor ofthe class described comprising an outer section and an inner section, a blade adapted to be clamped between said sections, said outer section having a plurality of inwardly extending closely arranged elongated ribs, the ribs extending transversely across the face of the outer section and terminating short of the marginal edges thereof, the blade being normally flat and having slots for receiving said ribs, the under faces of the ribs being curved so that they present their concave side toward the blade, whereby their ends will enter the slots in the blades before their inner portions, to facilitate the insertion of the ribs through said slots, said inner section having sockets for receiving said ribs, and means for clamping the sections together.

8. In a safety razor having a holder and a blade mounted therein, said holder having its upper surface concaved transversely whereby when it is laid on a flat surface, it will have two spaced lines of contact therewith, and means for holding adapted to cause a normally flat blade to assumey a concave contour and to hold said blade against said seat with its shaving edge protruding4 from said holder, said clamping member having a concave blade engaging surface, and an upper concave surface substantially parallel to said blade, and the arc of curvature of said blade and holder being such that when said upper concave surface of said clamping member is laid on a flat surface, said shaving edge will be in shaving relation to Said flat surface.

l0. In combination with a razor blade holder of the safety razor type embodying a plurality of razor blade clamping sections, a blade adapted to be interposed betweenthe sections, said blade being provided throughout substantially its entire extent with a plurality of closely arranged elongated transversely extending slots terminating at a point closely approximating the cutting edge of the blade, one of the sections of the holder being curved in transverse section and having a plurality of transversely extending elongated ribs adapted to t through the slots in the blade for anchoring the blade in position and bracing and reinforcing the blade, the other section of the holder being curved in transverse section so as to be complementary to the first-mentioned section and having sockets for receiving said ribs, means for clamping the sections together whereby the blade will be held in clamped relation between the sections of the holder and when it is laid on a flat surface, it Will have two spaced lines of Contact therewith, and means for holding said blade in said holder so that said 10 blade protrudes from the holder to siich an eX- Ytent'and at such an angle that when said concaved upper surface is laid on-a flat surface, the cutting edge of said blade will be in shaving position in relation to said surface and said holder and holding means having portions thereof opposed and engaging said blade continuously along an area extending parallel to and adjacent the cutting edge thereof.

YERVANT I-I. KURKJIAN. 

